When to Go:

December-February:

Summertime on the Garden Route is sunny and beautiful. Temperatures range from the high 70s to the high 80s. It is a great time to drive the Garden Route but we recommend avoiding the area between Christmas and New Years as it crowded and expensive.

March-May: (Recommended)

Fall is a great time to visit the Garden Route. Your daytime temperatures will usually fall in the upper 60s or low 70s. The nighttime temperatures will dip into the 50s so you’ll want to pack layers. We recommend driving the Garden Route in fall because it will not be as crowded and expensive as it would be in the summertime.

June-August:

Winter along the Garden Route will have mild days with an increased chance of rain. Prices are at an all-season low but be prepared for some rain and wind particularly towards the Western parts of the route.

September-November: (Recommended)

Spring is a great time to drive the Garden Route. Flowers are blooming, whales are breaching, and the sun is shining. Temperatures fall between 60-80 degrees and there is little chance of rain.

Costs:

Here are the average costs for basic items in along the Garden Route. We base these numbers off of what we spent.

Destination Guide:

Mossel Bay:

Mossel Bay is located 4 hours from Cape Town and is often the first stop on the Garden Route. There are plenty of places to stay and eat here. Visitors enjoy safe swimming beaches, watersports and hiking around the area.

Knysna is considered the heart of the Garden Route by some and is one of the most popular destinations along this scenic stretch of land. Knysna has plenty to offer with a beautiful setting, great places to stay, eat and drink, and wide range of outdoor activities. We love Knysna but it can get crowded, particularly in high season, so if you are looking for a quiet beachside stay, you may want to look elsewhere.

Plettenberg Bay, or ‘Plett’ as locals call it, is a great holiday destination. It is a relaxed, beachside town with white sand beaches and plenty to do. During high tourist season, it can get pretty packed and pricey so we recommend visiting Plett in the off-season.

There isn’t much to do in Jefferys Bay other than surf and go to the beach, but that is exactly why we love it so much. If you are looking for a quiet beach town where you can escape for a while, make sure you visit “Jbay”.

Stormsriver is a great place to go if you are looking for adventure and outdoor activities. It’s a small town located near Tsitsikamma National Park so you can take advantage of all the hiking trails and mountain biking trails that the park offers.

Picture white sand beaches, dramatic rugged mountains running straight into the ocean and pristine lagoons in sprawling forests. This is the Garden Route. A trip to South Africa is not complete without driving this world-famous stretch of land. We have driven the...